GLP1 Medications: An Important Part of the Weight Loss Program at Monarch Medical
By: Laura Jetter, ARNP | July 12, 2026
Maybe you have tried everything to lose weight. You counted calories, cut carbs, joined a gym….. but you still feel like you are struggling. Maybe you have lost a little but just can’t reach your goal or you lost the weight you wanted, only to gain it all back. Maybe you haven’t even started your weight loss journey because you feel lost in the overwhelming sea of suggestions and you just don’t know where to start.
If any of these sound familiar, you’re not alone.
The reality is that obesity is a complex, chronic disease influenced by hormones, metabolism, genetics, and the body’s natural drive to protect its weight. That’s why long-term weight loss can be so difficult.
However, GLP1 medications have changed the game of weight loss. Mimicking natural hormones within the body, these medications help to modify factors such as metabolism and the body’s natural drive to protect its weight. The result is more than just weight loss. It is more confidence in your image, physically improved health and lower risk for heart attacks, strokes, diabetes and other diseases that are influenced by weight.
What exactly are GLP1s?
GLP1 stands for glucagon like peptide. These medications, like semaglutide and tirzepatide, mimic the body’s naturally occurring hormones. The result is reduced hunger, improved blood sugar regulation, and meaningful weight loss. Lets take a closer look at each medication specifically.
Semaglutide
Semaglutide is a long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that is structurally similar to the body’s endogenous GLP-1 hormone. It promotes weight loss through multiple mechanisms by activating GLP-1 receptors in the brain, gastrointestinal tract, and pancreas. Within the hypothalamus, semaglutide enhances satiety signaling (the signal that you are full) and decreases activity in appetite-regulating pathways, leading to reduced hunger, fewer food cravings, and decreased caloric intake. It also delays gastric emptying, allowing food to remain in the stomach longer and prolonging feelings of fullness after meals. In the pancreas, semaglutide stimulates glucose-dependent insulin secretion (which lowers blood sugar), while suppressing glucagon release (which increases blood sugar). Unlike traditional appetite suppressants that primarily target the central nervous system, semaglutide works by restoring physiologic pathways involved in energy balance and metabolism. (Collins & Costello, 2024; Kommu & Whitfield, 2024).
Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide is a first-in-class dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that enhances the activity of two naturally occurring incretin hormones involved in appetite regulation, glucose (sugar) metabolism, and energy balance. By activating both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, tirzepatide promotes weight loss through multiple pathways. Within the central nervous system, it enhances satiety signaling (the signal that tells your brain you are full), reduces hunger, and decreases food cravings, resulting in lower caloric intake. In the gastrointestinal tract, tirzepatide delays gastric emptying, prolonging post-meal fullness and reducing the frequency of eating. In the pancreas, it stimulates glucose-dependent insulin secretion while suppressing glucagon release, improving glycemic control. In addition, GIP receptor activation appears to improve insulin sensitivity and adipose (fat) tissue function, contributing to favorable changes in energy metabolism that may enhance weight loss beyond those observed with GLP-1 receptor agonism alone, such as semaglutide. (Farzam & Patel, 2025; Jastreboff et al., 2022).
The choice of medical management
With the success of GLP1s has also come a plethora of choices as to where to get them. From 100% online platforms to the traditional doctors office, there are multiple options when it comes to who you work with to get your medication. However, your weight loss journey is unique to you and encompasses more than just taking the medication. Choosing a clinic, like Monarch Medical, is an essential factor in your weight loss success. At Monarch Medical, weight loss is never one-size-fits-all. We provide a comprehensive experience that begins with an in-depth health assessment and continues with personalized treatment plans, careful dose adjustments, lifestyle counseling and monthly check ins (more if needed). We understand that weight loss is multi factorial (and often emotional) and when you choose the weight loss program at Monarch Medical, you are choosing more than just a glp1 prescription. Your are choosing an experience that medically and emotionally will support you every step of the way.
References
Collins, L., & Costello, R. A. (2024). Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551568/
Farzam, K., & Patel, P. (2025). Tirzepatide. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585056/
Jastreboff, A. M., Aronne, L. J., Ahmad, N. N., Wharton, S., Connery, L., Alves, B., Kiyosue, A., et al. (2022). Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity. New England Journal of Medicine, 387(3), 205–216. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2206038
Kommu, S., & Whitfield, P. (2024). Semaglutide. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK603723/
